North Carolina Naturalization Lawyer

Who Is Eligible for Naturalization?

After an immigrant has legally resided in the United States for a number
of years, they may decide that they want to become a U.S. citizen. The
process of switching from lawful permanent resident (LPR) to citizen is
known as the
naturalization process. An LPR must meet several different requirements to be eligible for naturalized
citizenship.

To be eligible for naturalization, an applicant must:

Be 18 or older

Have been a green card holder (LPR) for at least 5 years immediately preceding
their application for naturalization

Have continuous residence in the United States as an LPR for at least 5
years immediately prior to application

Have been physically present in the U.S. for 30 months within the 5-year
period prior to applying

Have lived within the state for at least 3 months prior to application

Reside continuously in the U.S. from the date of application to the date
of naturalization

Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and understanding
of U.S. history and government

Be a person of good moral character dedicated to the furtherance of the
Constitution and the United States

Modified Requirements & Waivers

There are a few exemptions available for the English and civics requirements
listed above. An individual can be exempt from the English language requirements
(but still required to take the civics test) if they are age 50 or older
at the time of application and have lived as an LPR for 20 years, or if
they are age 55 or older at the time of application and have lived as
an LPR for 15 years. For the civics section of the test, an individual
may be exempt if they are unable to comply with the requirements due to
a physical or developmental disability, or a mental impairment.

Anyone applying for naturalization must also understand that the application
process is free. Many USCIS applications involve a general fee, but the
N-400 is eligible for a waiver by filing
Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. Such a waiver will be granted based on an inability
to pay the general fee.

Spouses of U.S. Citizens

The requirements for spouses of U.S. citizens employed by the government
are different. This includes spouses of military members. As long as the
spouse that is employed abroad is engaged in such employment for a t least
one year, the spouse seeking naturalization may be eligible. They must
be present in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident at the time of application
and meet all the requirements listed above, except for a few. No specific
LPR period is required, no specific period of continuous residence or
physical presence is required, and no specific period of marital union
is required.

How to Become a Naturalized Citizen

If you want to obtain
citizenship in the U.S. through naturalization, the first step is to hire a North Carolina
immigration lawyer. With their legal counsel and guidance, you can prepare
for the naturalization process, complete and submit all necessary documentation,
and pass the citizenship tests. The next step would be to get two passport-style
photographs of yourself, complete
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and submit them together with any fees
and necessary documents.

After your application has been received, you will receive an appointment
for fingerprinting at your local qualified location. Next, you will attend
a scheduled interview at your local USCIS office and answer questions
regarding your application and background. You will then take the English
and civics test to prove your understanding of United States history and
government. Should you pass all of these steps and tests, you will then
receive a date for your naturalization ceremony, where you will take the
Oath of Allegiance and become a naturalized citizen of the United States
of America.

Denaturalization & Renunciation

There are two ways in which a U.S. citizen - whether by birth, acquisition,
or naturalization - can find themselves a citizen no longer. One is by
denaturalization, which occurs due to fraud, concealment, or misrepresentation
on the part of the applicant. If the U.S. government discovers that the
individual provided false information to obtain citizenship, or if the
individual committed a war crime or other serious offense against the
U.S. government, their citizenship could be revoked and they will have
to return to their country of origin.

Renunciation occurs when a citizen decides of their own accord to end their
citizenship, either in the United States or in their country of origin.
The most common instance occurs when an immigrant obtains citizenship
through naturalization and then renounces their prior citizenship. They
can also renounce their U.S. citizenship by applying for a foreign citizenship
that requires them to lose their U.S. citizenship.

Dual Citizenship

There are several situations in which a person could obtain citizenship
in two countries at once. A common example would be when an individual
is born in a foreign country to two U.S. citizens. Such an individual
can have a U.S. citizenship as well as citizenship in their country of
birth. An individual can obtain dual citizenship through marriage, or
by naturalizing into the United States and still maintaining their original
citizenship, as well. In some cases, dual citizenship can also be obtained
by applying for a foreign citizenship that does not require the applicant
to give up their U.S. citizenship. Dual citizenship is a very delicate
subject, which is why you should not hesitate to get excellent legal counsel
right away to discuss your options.

Receive Exemplary Legal Assistance

Our firm has experience handling all types of immigration issues, including
naturalization and dual citizenship. Founding attorney Robert Brown has
more than 40 years of experience and is a former INS District Director,
and attorneys Rishi Oza and Aleksandar Cuic have been included in the lists of
Super Lawyers®Rising Stars℠.

If you are in need of aggressive and skilled legal representation,
contact our firm today for a consultation with a North Carolina naturalization attorney.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.